Pneumatic cleaning system.



G. J. (in A. W. KINDEL,

PNEUMATIC GLEANI e SYSITEM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.13,1909.

Patented Mar. 1,1910.

QEQXQQJD 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

IN VENTOR-S WITNESSES 6. A J v. 50, B Sm G. J. & A. W. KINDEL. PNEUMATIC CLEANING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED PEB.13,19GS.

Patented Mar. 1, 191.0

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W LD Nu WITNESSES:

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G. J. &: A, W: KINDEL.

PNEUMATIC CLEANING SYSTEM.

7 APPLICATION FILE1)FEB.13,19D9. 95Qf2gg Patented Mar. 1, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I L i 1 9 W A TTORNFY- UNITED STATES PATENT cronies.

GEORGE J. KINDEL em: ARTHUR w. 311mm; 02"; DENVER, COLORADO.

PNEUMATIC CLEANING S'ZS'EEM.

Specificetionof Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 1, 1 910.

To all whom "it may Be it known that We, G'EOISGE J. Kuzn'si.

and Am'mrn W. Knoec; citizens of the United Staies of America. residing fill Denvex, 111 the county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented. certain new and. useful Improvements in Pneumatic Cleaningsystems, of which the following is a,

specification;

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in air cleaning systems ancl its principal object resides in the provision of a svslte n of wiipei'ativeiy connected elements which may be employed in the process of cleaning by the. production of a.

vacuum as well as in that in which the dirt is removed by the expulsion of air under J'ZOIDPIBSSiOH; Withoutthe necessity of stop ping or revei sing the motor included in the 'irisid systel'u or without, in any manner, changing the relative positions or intercom neclions of the associated elemeiil's.

Further objects of the invention, i-eletiiig to the purifi-ationof the air exhausted by action of the pump and the se )aroiion therefrom of all extraneous soli or iiuid substances carried thereby, will be fully brought out in'the following description, reference being had to theieccompanying drawings in the various views of which like parts are similarly designated and in Which,

Figure 1., represents a side elevation of the entire tsystem, Fig. 2, a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3--3 Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow 4, Fig. 3, a similar view .tuken along: the same line, looking in the ilirection of the snow 0, Fig. 4, a sectional view of the erresterin which the hn'gei' substances curried by the six, are separated therefrom, Fig. 5, a section taken along the line 55 Fig. 4, Fig. 6 overlie-a1 section through the oil-separator included in the system, Fig. I, a transverse section wlirl: is removed from the surface he lcleanefl, at any one of the floors of the i hul cling, and 10, View of the nozzle used in the vacuum process.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, let 2 designate a. base upon which the various elements comprised in the improved system,- eze mounted.

The numeral 3 denotes a rotary air pump which may be of any suitable construction, l and which serves to either produce. a vacuum l or condense the air during the opera'lionof the apparatus with which it is associated. The pump 3 is operatively connected by means of a continuous belt 4, with a motor 5 which is eonnected with a convenient source of energy {in this instance electricity), and this motor is preferably mounted upon an upright. cylindrical tank 6 which constitutes the WH'l'QI reservoir in which the dirt; separated from the air, is collected and assimihites with the finial. 1

The separation of the impurities from the air eiected through the instrumentclilty of e. cleansing device 7 in which the air is thoroughly intermixed with the Water 0011-. tained in the reservoir, and which, i0 this end consists of a. cylindrical vessel, preferably composed of transparent material and provided wish one or more perforated, transverse partitions T through which the water and the dust-laden uir'pass during their circulatory movement i0 anrlfi'om the reset structionend operation. are fully described inUnited Slatfi Patent, #837,536, of July 31, 1906, is connected. by means of (lowlivurdly extending pipes 8 end a therewith connecicd cross 9, with the'velve controlled outlet pipe 10 which connects with the bot tom of the i'eservoir-for the purpose of removing its contentgend the said device coinmunicates furihermoie, with the upper poo tion of the reservoir, above the Waco-r level (which in the drewin s indicated .by the line 12)., by meanso a conduit 13. Two dash hoa rcis 1e are arranged in lapping rela-- tion, Within the reservoir above the orifice ofthe conduit 18, for the purpose of, preventing the continually agitated water from entering the outlet pipe '15 which opens into the reservoir above the upper clasliboard and through which the pm'ified ainis conducted tothe point'of exhaust. The pipe 15 connects 22$; its outer end with thehousing of e hhi'ee-way valve lo which, in coiipem-iioo with :1 second valve 12 of similar conehxuo 2 4 I sconce.

tion, controls the flow or air through the systively connected. The larger of the two com- 'tem and thereby adapts the latter for use in either one of the processes'of cleaning by means of a vacuum and by compressed. air as will hereinafter be fully explained. housing of the valve 16 connects furthermore, with a screen-covered air-intake 18 and with a conduit 19 which leads to the ingress opening of the pump and the said valve is so arranged, in relation to its ports, that, when placed in the position shown in Fig. 1, t conmeets the intake 18 with the conduit 19 and stops the communication between the latter and the pipe 15, while, in its reversed position, shown inFlg. 8, it closesthe communication between the intake 18 and thepipe 19 and connects the latter with the pipe 15.

The housing of the three'way valve 17 connects with the -exhaust-pipe 20, with the egress opening of the pump, and with the aircleansing device 7 by means of a. conduit 21 which terminates in a coil 23 which is dis posed in the reservoir 6 and whose opposite extremity connects with the before mentioned cross 9. The communication between the valve. 17 and'the egress opening of the pump 3 is established by means of two short -.conduits 2e and 25 and an interposed oil-separe-tor 26, the construction of which will ranged relative to its ports, so as to connect hereinafter be described. 'lhe valves 16 and 17 are connected to move in unison and are,

to this end. provided with crank arms 27 ant 28 which are connected by means of alink 29. A handle 30 formed by an extension of the crank arm 27, serves in the operation of the apparatus, to reverse the position of the two valves, which may be accomplished manually orby mechanical or electrical means as W1 1 hereinafter be described. The valve 17 is or the egress opening of the pump with the conduit 21 and to close communication with the exhaust pipe 20, when in the position shown in Fig. 1, while it connects the latter with the amp 3 and interrupts the communication etween the said pump and the conduit 21 when in the reversed position, illustrated in Fig. 8.

The outlet conduit 15 connects, at a point between the valve 16 and the reservoir 6, ,witha. branch-pipe 31 which communicates with the air-cleansing device 7 by connection with the cross 9 and which is broken for the nous partition 33 which divides itsir'iterior into two compartments with which the two portions of the broken conduitttfl are respec- The i pipe 20 or to the cleansin partinents which communicates with theportion of the conduit 31 connecting with the outlet pipe 15, has in its bottom a normally covered outlet 34; through which the matter arrested by the partition 33, may be removed and the said compartment is furthermore provided with a safetyvalve 35 for the auto-- team has been discontinued; The conduit 31,-

has, at a point in between its connect-ions with the conduit 15 and the separator 32, an orifice which serves as an outlet or an inlet for the air, flowing from or into the system and this orifice is preferably provided, by

-means of a T 36, which connects with the flexibleconduit 37- at whose outer extremity a nozzle is attached which, during the operation of the apparatus, is held in contact with the carpet or other surface to be cleaned. f

,When the apparatus is o erated to-produce a blast of air thenozz c is composed of a short tubular b0 y formed with a narrow rectilinear orifice, as is'shown at 38 in Fig. 1', while, when the system is employed to remove dust by the vacuum process,v a nozzle 50, such as is shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings, is substituted for. the other.

The nozzle 38 has beenmade the 'Subiect of a separate application for patent tiledsimultaneously with the present one, while one of the applicants in the present application. 4

The hereinbefore mentioned oil-separator 26,, shown in detail in Figs. (land 7, serves' to separate the greater part of the oil from the air with which it became associated referably the vacuum nozzle 50 is fully described'in the United States Patent, Number 890,987, issued June 16, 1908, to Arthur WV. Kindel,

minutes a short distance above 1ts bottom,'- 1

the conduits 2 4 and .25 being disposed at opposite sides thereof. The oil-laden air entering the receptacle through the conned tion 25, fills the respective compartments whence it flows underneath the partition 39 v into the adjacent compartment an'd'thence through the connection 24, to the exhaustcase the y be.

device as .the, The oil w ich is separated from the air by its specific gravity. 'and'by;

frictional contact with the lower edgeofii so the partition, drops to the bottom oft-he receptacle' 26 from Where it returns to the pump 3 through a small. pipe 40'. The pipe 15 through which the air is conducted from. the reservoir 6, to either the nozzle 38 01 the pump 3, is connaited with an air chemher 41 for the purpose ofcounlinin the-flow of liquid, with a safety- 7c we: or the cntiet of air, should the pressure within the con d'uit exceed a predetermined degree, and with a pressure gage 43' adapted. toindicate the degree of air pressure or vacuum during the-operation of the system.

A glass vessel. 44 connected with the con duit 31 at a point intermediate the cleansing device 7' and the separator 32, enables the operator toobserve the ion of the air while the system is in operation during the vacuum process, and a valve controiled conduit 45 is connected with the lower portion of the reservoir for the purpose of repienishing the latter with clear water after the foul water has been exhausted through the pipe 10. The pipe connections included in the system are furthermore rovided with three check-valves one of wliic designated by the numeral 46, is located in the conduit 31 in proximity to the cross 9 and serves to prevent the air which flows from the coil 23 into the cross 9, from passing upwardly through the conduit 31, when the system is operated to produce a forcible current of air.

The object of the second check valve i7 located in the pipe 21, intermediate the reservoir (5 and the valve 17, is to prevent an influx of air and water into the pump Whiie the system is operated to roduce c vacuum,

while that of the third vs. vs 48 is to prevent the air from flowing to the pump in unfiltered condition, under the same circuin;

stances. A Water-gage 49 is connected with the reservoir 6, to indicate "the height. of the water-surface therein.

The building illustrated in Fig. 9, of the drawin s has at basement 50 in which the above escribed air-cieaning system installed, and two Stories 51 and The water-outlet pi )e of the reservoir (3 of the system, which latter has been drawn to an exaggerated scale relative to the building,

- connects with the sewer 53, and the inlet pipe 4,5 of the said reservoir may connect -with the water main 54 as shown, or it may extend upwardly to anyother source of water supply.

The T 3G. to which, the construction shown in Fig. l, the flexible conduit 37 is attached, connects when the apparatus is installed in a building, with u stundpipe 55,

"and this staindpipe, whichextends through a wall of the building, is rovided on each floor, with a valve controiled nipple'oo to which the hose 37 may be attached.

The controller valves 16 and l? are provided. with cr'anl'c-lwh'eels 57 and 58 in place terminate outside the building.

'municntes' with the egress to, a. peripheral groove for the recep tion or a continuous rope or chain 59 which extends over guide puheys 60, to a recess (35 I in s-wzili oi the 'ou iidingin which it extends vertics-i'l'y and overs sheave 51 which is to tetuhiy mounted in the recess near the top of the build 4 downwsrdiy througi'i. doors 62 which aii'ord access to the recess at each door, the position of the two valves may he reverse to'operetc the systen'i for the production or either a vacuum or n forcible current of Lair.

It will he understood that the 'wires which connect the motor 5 with the source of cicctricit' may he led through the recess (:3 in'the wall, in Which-case a switch 64 at each floor enables the operator to start or discontinue the action of the pump 3. The exhaust pipe 20 has been shown to project and .Having thus described the mechanical construction of the various elements comprised in our improved system as well as the method of connecting the-n1, we will now proceed to explain the operation of the apparatus in producing the two results of which it is capable.

Presuming that the position; ofithe con troller-vaives l6 and 17, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings, adapts the system to remove dust from tlie surface engaged by the nozzles 38, by means of a blast of air emitted there through, it wiii he observed that, in accor ance with the prtxreding; description, the intake 18 1s in communication with thcjngu'ess pipe 19 of the pump 3 and the exhaust 20 1s disconnected from the conduit 21 which com-- opening of the p11 in p.

The course of the air through the various elements and connections included in the system, during the process of cleaning by the ejection of air through the nozzle, is indiouted by hroizen line' arrows while the direction of the air drawn into the nozzle during the vacuum process, is denoted by means of solid-line arrows The pump 3, having been put in motion through the instrumentality of the motor 5, draws the ail-into the intake 18, through the conduit 19 and ejects it through the connection 25 into the receptacle 26, in which the greater portion of the lubricating oil which was carried by the air from the motor. is separated from the-fori'ner to return to the motor through the pipe 40'. The air flows from the separator through the connection 24 into the conduit 21 and through the coil :23 where it is cooled by the influence of the surrounding water. with the result that the oil carried by the air iii-vaporized condition,

.35; pulling the rope 59 up or which may be accomplished which it is forcibly ejected to dislodge dust and dirt from the surface in whose pros;- imity the latter is held.

It will be observed .that the Water displaced by the air entering the cleansing de vice 7, is at once replaced by a similar quan tity passing from the reservoir through the pipes 10 and 8, so that during the operation of the apparatus, there is a constant circulatory movement of the water through the device 7 and the reservoir 6. The dirt and dust separated from the air, settles upon the bottom of the reservoir While the oil remains'supernat-ant upon the surface of the water and, when the quantity of matter separated from the air, is sufficiently great to render the water unfit for further use, it is discharged. with the latter by simultaneous opening of the valves in the water inlet and the outlet 10. After all the impure matter is discharged, the tank 6 is refilled by closing the valve in the outlet pipe.

To adapt the system for use in the vacuum cleaning process, the valves 16 and 17 are reversed to the position shown in Fig. 8 with. the result thatgthe communication between the intake 18 ard the other parts of the sys tem is interrupted, the ingress pipe 19 of the pump is connected with the outlet pipe l5 of the reservoir, the exhaust pipe 20 isbrought in con'in'mnici-ition with. the egress opening of the pump through. the oil sepw rator 26 and the connections 2 and 25, and the connection between the latter and the pipe 21 is stopped.

By'reason of the vacuum caused the action of the pump 3, the dust, together with the surrounding air is drawn through the nozzle from the carpet or other surface against which the latter is held, and passing through thetlcxible conduit 37, it enters the separator 32 in whichtlie larger particles such as cigar-stumps, nails etc, are arrested by tliescreen 33. '.;l.l1e check valve 48 prevents the air from flowing in opposite dircc tion. The air, proceed from the separator 32 throu h the conduit 3i, enters the cleansing device, wl'iere the dust carried thereby, assimilates with the wate as he e inlieforc described. The puri"c air i-. ing from the resewoir, pas conduits '15 and. 1?) to the through the y amp and iron: l crwnr, and to com Vet V etograa there through the oil separator 26, to the ex'- haust pipe 20.

Attention is called to the fact that our fun proved system may be effectively employed to supply the rooms of a dwelling or other building with refrigerant, salted or medicat/ed a1r,by cooling the reservoir 6 or by introducing the required medicinal or other substance into the water contained therein, a feature which will he found beneficial in hospitals and sick-rooms.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent isz- 1. In an air cleaning systemic combination, an air iinpelling" element; a reservoir; a conduit connection between said reservoir and the inlet port of said element; an air intake arranged in said conduit; a separate conduit connection between said reservoir and the egress port of said element said eonduit having an airexhaust; an additional conduit connection between said reservoir and the first named conduit, and provided. with an open nozzle connection; and a pair of cooperatin controlling valves arranged in said first and second named conduits and connected to ether for simultaneous operation, said vaves being adapted to simultaneously connect the inlet port with said intake only and interru t communication between said exhaust an the egress port, while maintaining the latter in coznmuniczu tion with said reservoir, when in oneposition, and to simultaneously interrupt coznmunication between said intake and the inlet port, while maintaining said inlet port provided with an open nozzle connection; a

pair of cooperative controlling valves arranged in said first and-second named conduits and connected together for'sunultaucous operation, said valves being adapted to "lniultuucously connect the inlet port with said intake only and interrupt com-- munication between said exhaust and the egress port, while maintaining the latter in communication with said reservoir, when in one position, and to simultaneously inter-- rupt con tiniest-ion between said intake and the inlet por while man .ing said rt in. com. nicatlon u h said resin let 1 port with eeogme said exhaust only when in another post? ,.,,i; and means connected with said valves for operating the same from any selected e'levation within fixed limits.

3. In an air-cleaning system, an air impelling elernent, a reservoir, a conduitcorinecting the ingress side of said element with said reservoir, an air intake connected with said conduit, asecond conduit connecting the egress-side of said element with said reservoir and having a check-valve arranged to prevent passage of fluid from the latter, an air outlet connected with said second conduit, a third conduit connecting said reservoir with the first named conduit and having an orifice intermediate its ends, the said third conduit having a checlevalve arranged. to interrupt passage of fluid from said reservoir to said orifice and a checkvalve arranged to prevent the passage of fluid entering the orifice, to the first named conduit, a valve associated with the latter and adapted to connect the egressside of the element with either the intake or with said reservoir,- and a second valve associated with the second conduit and cooperatively connected with the first named valve, so as to. connect the egress sideot' the said element with the reservoir in the first instance and with said outlet in the second instance. 1n testimony whereof we have afiixed our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE J. KINDEL. ARTHUR W. KINDEL.

Witnesses G. RoLLaNnnT, M, L. GEABY. 

